Five Lamps disruption 'taste' of A38 scheme

GROUP PROTESTING AT EXPANSION OF ROUTE GIVES WARNING AFTER IMPROVEMENT WORKS IN CITY CAUSE QUEUES

- By NIGEL SLATER

CAMPAIGNERS have warned long traffic queues at the Five Lamps junction is “just a taste of what Derby motorists may face” when major upgrades on the A38 start.

Members of the “Stop The A38 Expansion” group issued the message after they held a protest at the busy junction which connects Allestree and Darley to the city centre.

A Derby City Council-led project for road improvements in the area began in September. Since then major traffic problems at Five Lamps have been reported.

The 16-week works include upgrading traffic lights, road resurfacing and restoring historic railings on Duffield Road back to their former glory.

Last month it was reported nearby residents were unhappy due to motorists cutting through streets and causing “chaos” as they created a rat-run. This came after sections of Duffield Road and Kedleston Road were closed to allow the second phase of roadworks to start.

Derby City Council said it understands drivers’ frustrations and it is “doing it all it can” to minimise traffic disruption during the project.